Ridge Looks at Future of Homeland Security

The country needs strong border enforcement, better ID methods and a good program for undocumented workers to secure our borders and prevent future terrorist attacks, says former homeland security secretary Tom Ridge.

According to an article by Angela Woodall in California's Tri-Valley Herald, Ridge made the remarks last week at American University. Ridge called for using biometrics to scan the iris of the eye and a full set of fingerprints as tools to prevent attacks.

Among the other changes Ridge recommended was a worker program for undocumented immigrants coming to the US from Mexico, Woodall reports. Ridge said Mexican workers are a major contributor to the country's economy, making it important to create such a program for both economic and security reasons.

However, Ridge was clear that such a program would require stronger border enforcement, including penalties for businesses that hire non-citizens illegally.

Woodall also says, when asked about how the nation could prevent another terrorist attack, that the "ultimate solution is dealing with it more on a global basis." Ridge, Woodall says, has been outspoken in favor of creating a national identity card, and says international acceptance is growing for the idea that we need international identification systems like biometrics.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_2669983